Another D23 has come to a close and this one packed quite the emotional punch when it came to both Disney/Pixar Animation Panel’s.
First up, Walt Disney Animation Studios.
The Walt Disney Animation Studios lineup includes next year’s ‘ZOOTOPIA’ and ‘MOANA’, along with 2018’s ‘GIGANTIC.’ After a warm introduction from Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn, Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios Chief Creative Office John Lasseter got the crowd pumped by launching out exclusive D23 Hawaiian shirts into the poised fans. What a blast!
First up was ‘ZOOTOPIA,’ Disney’s next animated feature film scheduled for March 4, 2016. Directors Byron Howard (‘TANGLED’) and Rich Moore (‘WRECK-IT-RALPH’) and producer Clark Spencer (‘WRECK-IT-RALPH’) were joined by Ginnifer Goodwin (‘ONCE UPON A TIME’) to give a much more detailed look at the film compared to the teaser released a couple months ago. Judy Hopps, (Goodwin), a trusting rookie rabbit cop destined to become a detective and believing that anyone can be anything.
Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), a sly fox who uses deception and trickery to get what he wants, may be the one individual to prevent Hopps from achieving her goals. When Nick asserts himself into a prime role in a missing animal case, Judy is forced to partner with him. They’ll have 48 hours to solve the case or Judy’s career in law enforcement will be over.
The directors and producer shared two clips from ‘ZOOTOPIA.’ The first shows the character introduction of Nick and as well as the first encounter Judy and Nick share, which just happens to be a con taking place in an ice cream shop. Nick, along with an adorable accomplice sporting a baby pachyderm costume to score a free, elephant-sized portion of ice cream. This clip was a bit sloppy on execution, but the character designs and imagination that went into the location, really helped it. However, it was the second clip that became the crowd pleaser.
The next clip was a hilarious bit where Judy and Nick have to extract information for the DMV, which is staffed exclusively by sloths. It may not sound like much, but this is where the comedy hit hard. The concept and execution won over the audience, making this film one to keep on your calendar.
To wrap up ZOOTOPIA’s presentation, Shakira, announced herself as the voice for the character Gazelle and that she will provide an original song, “Try Everything,” for the film.
Next up was ‘GIGANTIC,’ the film director Nathan Greno (‘TANGLED’) and producer Dorothy McKim (‘GET A HORSE!’) hope to be the definitive telling of “Jack and the Beanstalk.” For them, adding this fairy tale to the history of Disney Animation is not something to take lightly and it was clear to see they are aiming high. This iteration will take place in Spain during the Age of Exploration. It’s still the Jack and the Beanstalk story you know, but with a twist you’d only find in a Disney animated film. One major change comes from a special discovery the filmmakers stumbled upon while doing research in Spain, and that change occurs when our hero ascends through the clouds.
Waiting for Jack is not just one giant, but a land filled with them. Chief among them is Inma, an 11-year-old girl standing in at 60-feet high. This character was inspired by an energetic and imaginative little girl Greno and McKim encountered on their research trip to Spain. Inma sees Jack as we would see an action figure or doll, which leads into a really funny song where Inma gets to play at Jack’s expense.
Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (‘FROZEN’) are writing the songs for ‘GIGANTIC’ and the fans were treated to an early version of a song set to a storyboarded sequence where Jack is manhandled by a playful Inma. Jack eventually helps Inma and the good giants against a group of evil giants.
Closing out Walt Disney Animation Studios’ portion of the presentation was ‘MOANA’. Directors John Musker and Ron Clements (‘THE LITTLE MERMAID’, ‘ALADDIN’) and producer Osnat Shurer (‘ONE MAN BAND’, ‘BOUNDIN’) introduced the story of our title character Moana, 16-year-old girl from an island in the South Pacific looking to continue the exploratory traditions of her ancestors. The only problem is that those traditions have since been discontinued for reasons unknown.
After a family tragedy, Moana sets sail beyond the reef where she grew up, with only a pet pig and the friendly water to be her guide. Oh, there’s one more character who helps her on her journey. That would be the handsome, demigod Maui. This set up the biggest surprise of the afternoon with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson hitting the stage as he was announced as the voice of Maui. It was an electrifying moment that catapulted the crowd to their feet in uproarious applause.
Not to be outdone, the best moments of the panel were in the footage itself. The concept art and storyboards were stunning and there was a clip that became the highlight of the entire animation presentation. The ocean is brought to life in magical ways as Moana interacts with it in her infancy. It’s a touching moment and the animation looks a step beyond anything we’ve seen in cinema’s to this point.
After the clip, Johnson returned to the stage to introduce the award winning musicians Opetaia Foa’i and Te Vaka, who will be supplying music for the film, to thrill the crowd with a spirited performance before clearing the stage for Pixar.
‘Moana’ crashes into theaters November 23, 2016.
